[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 113 (Wednesday, July 13, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H4827]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION

  (Mrs. NAPOLITANO asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Madam Speaker, I want to bring to light the fact 
that we are still trying to get two bills passed in the House. How many 
more innocent lives will be lost before that happens?
  My people, everybody's people, the American people want gun reform. 
My Republican colleagues are blocking the vote. But we need to have a 
voice. No more silence.
  Stop blaming mental health issues for mass shootings. The fact is, 
more often they are the victims rather than the perpetrators. Anger, 
hate, and racism are the main causes of mass shootings.
  Reducing the mental health stigma would save lives, as two-thirds of 
gun deaths are suicides. I encourage those who need help, to seek help, 
reduce self-harm, and learn the signs of mental illness. We need to 
focus on prevention and training, especially of police and the public, 
on mental health, not more guns. We need to educate youth on how to 
peacefully resolve problems by conflict resolution and anger 
management.
  We must change the culture of violence. Violent images are too common 
in media, entertainment, and video games. Learn to have less hatred, 
more tolerance, and focus on what unites us.
  Allow us a vote to prevent terrorists and others on the no-fly list 
from buying guns and universal background checks for guns.

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